One year after the war between Georgia and Russia, both countries continue to blame each other for starting the conflict.

Georgia says the August 7 assault was a defensive operation while Russia insists it was a pre-planned criminal act.

This time last year, Georgia attacked breakaway South Ossetia after days of clashes with separatists. A Russian military counter-strike quickly pushed Georgian government forces out.

A new report released by the Georgian government says Russia started the war by sending in military convoys.

Temur Yakobashvili, Georgia Minister for Integration, said, "The most important conclusion of the report is that we are seeing the attempts of the Russian Federation to undermine the Georgian statehood by using proxy separatists and separatism as a tool against the Georgian state."

But Russia's Foreign Ministry says the Georgian assault was pre-planned.

The ministry says Russia will continue its military presence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia to ensure reliable security for them.

Andrei Nesterenko, Spokesman, Russian Foreign Ministry, said, "Russia will continue to extend large-scale social and economic assistance to the fraternal peoples of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, first of all in restoring housing and the civilian infrastructure, as well as assistance in the defense of these states and protection of their borders."

Georgia protests that Russia's military presence is a continuation of a policy of occupation.

Russia says last year's war was an indictment of the West's policy towards Georgia. It accused Washington of re-arming the Georgian "war machine".

With tension high ahead of the anniversary, EU monitors say the region remains volatile and they have stepped up patrols.

(CCTV August 7, 2009)